Relatives of 10 men, including Kevin Barry, executed and buried in Mountjoy Prison during the War of Independence are to decide shortly if their remains will be exhumed and buried elsewhere.
The exhumation plans have been held up until now as some of the relatives objected.
"We may be in a position today where all the relatives would now wish to transfer the remains of the prisoners to a suitable resting place outside the prison or at least acquiesce in that process in deference to the other families involved," the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue said.
He was speaking at the unveiling of a plaque on the building where the men were hanged. Apart from the remains of 18year-old Kevin Barry, a medical student, the graves also contain the remains of Frank Flood, Patrick Doyle, Thomas Bryan, Bernard Ryan, Patrick Moran, Thomas Whelan, Thomas Traynor, Edmund Foley and Patrick Maher. All were hanged between November 1920 and June 1921.
Mr Matt Doyle, of the National Graves Association, said the remains may be buried in the Republican plot in Glasnevin Cemetery.
The Government, in line with successive governments, would not order the exhumation of the remains while some of the relatives objected, Mr O'Donoghue said.
"Within a matter of weeks we will be placing legal documentation in the hands of all the contactable representatives of the 10 families to facilitate them in requesting exhumation of the remains if that is their collective wish."
The State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, had agreed to help in the exhumation process, he said. Because of the length of time the remains had been buried it was difficult to say how successful finding and identifying them would be.
"I can assure you however that the State will not be found wanting in its efforts in this respect. I can also assure the families that the process, if proceeded with, will be dignified, respectful and appropriate."
Unveiling the plaque closed a sad chapter in Irish prison history, Mr O'Donoghue said.